AVON Valley Runners Over The Hills race got off to a flying start on Sunday with a strong field of 300 runners starting from Barton Farm in Bradford on Avon.

The race was won by Charles Pennington, from Royal Navy Athletics, in 44.17, closely followed by Paul Ryman from Frome Tri Club in 44.28.

In third place was Guy Woods (Unattached) in 47.15, with the first Avon Valley male being Peter Veleski in 50.18.

There was an exciting race in the ladies’ event, with Avon Valley’s Ruth Barnes just edging out Bradford-based England international runner Holly Rush (Team Bath) with 49.59 to 50.04.

In third place was Clare Prosser, from Wells City Harriers, in 53.22.

Joining the runners and including it in his 10K a day challenge was Jim Plunkett-Cole (Town & Country Harriers) finishing in 49.28 before running another 10k accompanied by his dog immediately afterwards.

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